The Secret Power of Motivators in Dog Training
Why Your Dog’s Behavior Depends on It
As a dog trainer with 15 years of experience running a Dog Training Academy, I’m obsessed with motivators. Why? Because they’re the key to a well-behaved dog or puppy. It’s such a simple concept, yet it’s where so many dog owners go wrong.
It was learning this, that led me to being a dog trainer. Understanding my dog’s motivator 16 years ago, changed the life Rolo, my lovely Flatcoat, and I had together.
Understanding Motivation: A Basic Life Principle
Let’s start with a simple truth: Whatever any of us do in life, we need reward. You go to work for your salary. You volunteer for the feelgood factor. Your dog is no different – they need a reason to perform the behaviours you want.
The Two Golden Rules of Motivation
- Stop Giving Freebies
- Match the Value of the Reward to the Action
Let’s break these down…
Stop Giving Freebies
Think about this scenario: Your dog gets all their food in a bowl, free access to their favourite toys, and treats just for looking cute. Then you take them to the park and offer the same treat or reward come back when called. Why would they leave an exciting game with other dogs for something they get for free at home?
Here’s what happens when you stop the freebies:
– Use their daily food allowance for training instead of bowl-feeding
– Control access to toys, especially for toy-motivated dogs
– Save high-value treats for challenging environments
– Make rewards something to work for, not an entitlement
Matching Reward to Action
Just like you’d expect a bigger pay cheque for a more demanding job, your dog needs rewards that match the challenge. A simple ‘sit’ in your living room might be worth a piece of kibble, but coming back when called in a busy park? That deserves premium currency – perhaps that cheese or sausage you’ve been saving for special occasions, or their most favourite toy for a toy motivated dog.
Understanding Your Dog’s Currency
Different dogs are motivated by different things:
– Food (especially effective with puppies)
– Retrieving (often seen in working breeds)
– Tuggy toys
– Interactive play with their owner
– Specific activities like scent work
The key is identifying what truly drives your dog and using it strategically. Remember, if your dog seems “not food motivated,” it’s often because they’re getting too many freebies at home or food is just put in a bowl. Unless there are dietary issues, food is a survival necessity and can be a powerful motivator when properly managed.
The Environment Factor
One of the most common surprises for puppy owners in classes, can be discovering how differently their dogs or pups respond to rewards in different environments. Those puppy treats that work perfectly at home suddenly become meaningless in a training class or at the park. This is why understanding the hierarchy of rewards is crucial – what works in your living room might not cut it in the woods or around other dogs.
Building Lasting Habits
The goal isn’t to bribe your dog, but to reward your dog for good behaviour. Just like you get paid for your work. In the early days, you are using this to build a habit in your dog’s head. As behaviours become habitual, you can reduce the frequency of rewards – but here’s the crucial part: rewards should be random, not predictable. If you reward every third time, your clever dog will figure that out and only respond every third time!
The Long-Term View
Remember, motivation isn’t just for puppies or training periods – it’s a lifelong tool. While the frequency of rewards may decrease as habits become ingrained, maintaining some level of reinforcement throughout your dog’s life ensures reliable behaviour.
Conclusion
Understanding and properly using motivators is the foundation of successful dog training. By stopping freebies and matching rewards to challenges, you’ll see a remarkable difference in your dog’s responsiveness and behaviour. It’s not about having an endless supply of treats – it’s about being smarter with how you use them.
Want to understand more about motivators and how to get the best from your dog?
Check out our Dog Training Camp
